Department Of English
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Avery Carpenter Forrey, BA’11: Joy in the Process
Avery Carpenter Forrey, BA'11, says Vanderbilt was the first place where she felt she could make a career out of writing. With a double major in in English and communications, her latest writing journey has led to the publication of her novel 'Social Engagement' (Mariner, 2023). Read MoreJan 17, 2024
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Critically acclaimed: Lorrie Moore’s new novel gathers year-end praise
Professor of English Lorrie Moore’s newest novel, I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, has been named one of the best books of 2023 by The New Yorker and received year-end praise from NPR and New York Magazine. Read MoreDec 18, 2023
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Vanderbilt authors, works highlighted at 2023 Southern Festival of Books
Vanderbilt University will be well represented at the 2023 Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word, where a significant number of faculty and authors with ties to the university will discuss their works Oct. 18–22. Read MoreOct 16, 2023
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“Spring Procession” by Didi Jackson, assistant professor of English
"Spring Procession," a poem by Didi Jackson, assistant professor of English, read at Vanderbilt's Sesquicentennial launch in March. Read MoreJun 5, 2023
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Creative Journey
Mason Richards, BS'97, continues his quest to turn 'The Seawall' into a feature film. Read MoreMay 3, 2023
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WATCH: Class of 2023 students make an impact around the globe
Meet some members of the Class of 2023 who bring a unique global perspective to the Vanderbilt community. Read MoreApr 28, 2023
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Class of 2023: Writing Studio mentor Lucy Kim helps students find their voice
Class of 2023: Lucy Kim came from South Korea with the goal of earning a Ph.D. in English. Read about the powerful impact she's had while helping hundreds of students find their voice at Vanderbilt’s Writing Studio. Read MoreApr 26, 2023
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Derrick R. Spires, MA’05, PhD’12: Citizenship Across Space and Time
Derrick R. Spires, an associate professor of literatures in English at Cornell University, has a talent for making 19th-century newspapers and pamphlets feel as accessible as the latest social media feed. He explores the culture of the early 19th-century Black press in his 2019 book 'The Practice of Citizenship: Black Politics and Print Culture in the Early United States' (University of Pennsylvania Press), which was recently released in paperback. Read MoreApr 26, 2023
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Vanderbilt senior claims top prize in second annual Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy poetry contest
Students from seven Tennessee colleges and universities submitted poems exploring “What unity through American democracy means to me” for the second annual poetry contest sponsored by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy. The judges selected Vanderbilt senior Sophie Kaiser’s poem as the winner. Read MoreApr 24, 2023
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Drake Lecture Series: ‘Inhuman Memory’ with professor Kathryn Yusoff April 21
Vanderbilt's Department of English presents the spring 2023 Drake Lecture, “Inhuman Memory” with visiting professor Kathryn Yusoff from Queen Mary University of London. The lecture will be on Friday, April 21, at 3:15 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Read MoreApr 11, 2023
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Mark Wollaeger, professor emeritus of English and modernist scholar, has died
Mark Wollaeger, professor emeritus of English and former director of graduate studies in English at Vanderbilt, died Feb. 19. A respected scholar and colleague, Wollaeger was recognized across the university for his exceptional and devoted teaching. Read MoreMar 2, 2023
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Immersion Spotlight: Junior Amelia Day records first EP ‘Eastward of Eden’
Having already released a handful of singles, junior English major Amelia Day was ready to take the next step as an artist and develop her first project under a single sound and concept. Day decided to make the creation of her first EP her Immersion Vanderbilt project, opening access to mentorship and funding opportunities to support her dream. Read MoreFeb 17, 2023
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Author Laura Van Den Berg featured at Visiting Writers Series Sept. 29
Vanderbilt’s Department of English and Creative Writing Program are hosting acclaimed writers for the 2022–23 Gertrude C. and Harold S. Vanderbilt Visiting Writers Series. Fiction writer Laura Van Den Berg, author of I Hold a Wolf by the Ears, will appear on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Bookstore. Read MoreSep 25, 2022
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Gertrude C. and Harold S. Vanderbilt Visiting Writers Series to host acclaimed authors for 2022–23
The Department of English and Creative Writing Program will host acclaimed authors for its Gertrude C. and Harold S. Vanderbilt Visiting Writers Series during the 2022–23 academic year, beginning with poet Aria Aber on Thursday, Sept. 15. Read MoreSep 12, 2022
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Leaving a Legacy, Not an Impact: How Natural Burial Can Extend Our Values Long After We’re Gone
The topic of burial is never easy, but for alumna Mallory McDuff, BS'88, the sudden deaths of her parents led her to realign her final wishes with climate change, community and family in mind. Read MoreJun 6, 2022
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Class of 2022: Harry Choi uses global experiences to create belonging on campus
Harry Choi has lived in four countries on three continents, learned five languages and made lasting connections with people from around the globe. At Vanderbilt he is using his international experiences to help people feel a greater sense of belonging on campus. Read MoreApr 18, 2022
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A Life’s Work: Kate Daniels has built a writing and teaching career by combining a focus on healing and artistic expression
Kate Daniels has long been captivated by the connection between writing and the healing process. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, Daniels worked as a nurse’s aide at UVA Medical Center while she was in the process of applying to graduate school. The job was grueling,… Read MoreApr 11, 2022
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The Arrow Paradox by Mark Jarman, Centennial Professor of English, emeritus
A poem by Mark Jarman, Centennial Professor of English, emeritus, whose most recent books are the poetry collection The Heronry and the essay collection Dailiness: Essays on Poetry. “The Arrow Paradox” appeared in the June 2021 issue of The Atlantic. Read MoreFeb 8, 2022
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Poetry contest to explore meaning of unity through American democracy
Vanderbilt students are invited to express how they feel about unity and democracy through a new poetry contest. The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy is conducting the contest in partnership with Vanderbilt’s English department and MFA program in creative writing. The theme is “What unity through American democracy means to me.” Read MoreJan 28, 2022